Being in love with being in love was a sure way to get yourself killed.

Metaphorically of course.

Until I met him…

*

Spring

Sunday, April 14

Bliss.

For the first time in my life I feel bliss. Not wanting, or jealously, or unimportance, just bliss.

I swear, whenever I am near him my heart races and my toes tingle. I told this to Lizzie and she said that maybe I should get that checked out…

But I don’t care. She has her tingly magic and I have my tingly toes. Bliss is a good place to be, even though we both know it can’t stay. Bliss is that one thing you have to hold onto though, no matter what.

James had planned to meet me at my apartment at half past twelve for lunch, but it’s verging on quarter till. I paced the living room, nervously wringing my fingers.

There was a knock at the door and I was so nervous it made me jump. I hurried to the door, opening it with a smile.

Only to be greeted with a smile that was very much not James’.

“Mum?” I asked, stepping out into the hall to see if there was any sign of James.

“Hi darling. Your father and I were wondering if you would watch Laura for a bit, we need to go to the Ministry for some work.”

Laura ran into my apartment giggling. I stepped closer to my mum.

“Mum, I have a date, in like…” I looked at the clock. “…now.”

“Hmph, a date with the Doctor it seems.” Her eyes settled on the telly, flashing the mystical telephone box with The Doctor and Rose walking in, on mute. Laura quickly sat down in front of it and changed the channel to cartoons.

I rolled my eyes, “No mum, with a guy. He, um, he’s just running late.” Even though that is the complete truth, my eyes dropped to the floor and I could feel mum’s on me disapprovingly. My cheeks heated up, hoping James wouldn’t walk in with me like this.

“We’ll be back at half past fourteen, bye sweetie.” I looked up as she waved to Laura and aparated away. I shuddered the reminiscent of magic making my skin crawl.

I went to sit down next to Laura and she began informing me of all the happenings at primary school, and I felt that euphoric bliss slowly drain out of me.

Five minutes later, there was another knock on the door. I got up, barefoot and already exhausted, to answer it. Thankfully, it was James this time.

“These are lovely.” I said walking into the kitchen and grabbing a vase.

James hung up his coat in the closet before sitting down next to Laura on the couch.

“What’s your name?” he asked her with a smile. Laura looked up from the telly before looking at me for approval.

“This is Laura,” I said, exiting the kitchen and sitting on the arm of the sofa. “She is my beautiful 8 year old sister.”

Laura wrinkled her nose at me before laughing.

“Well hello there, Laura!” James said.

“Uhm, James? Come with me into the kitchen, I’ll get you something to drink.”

I walked back into the kitchen, getting out two wine glasses and filling them, before being engulfed, arms snaking around my waist, pinning me against the counter. I giggled before turning around and handing one to him. His forehead rested on mine.

“My mum had to drop her off; she needed to do something. We can reschedule.” I said, a little disappointed.

“No, let’s do something. It’s nice out, how about a trip to the park.” He said, taking a sip of his wine.

“We could probably manage that. Let me get a coat and we’ll go.” I said, relieved I would get to be in his presence a little longer. He smiled and gave me a peck on the lips before letting me go.

“Hey Laura,” I called, “Come with me, we’re going to go to the park.”

*

Together the three of us walked down to the park. Laura played in the trees and with other kids.

James and I strolled around, hand in hand.

“So you have been to my dingy apartment, far too many times. But when do I get to see your super cool bachelor pad?” I asked. James visibly stiffened.

“Well, um. My mum is having a picnic in a few weeks. I was going to ask you when it got a little closer, but would you like to come with me?” He said, quickly.

“Yeah…yeah that would be brilliant. Is everything okay?” I asked, pausing on the path.

James nodded and that was that. I was meeting his family. That had to be one step in the right direction.

But, wasn’t meeting the family a big deal? The thought made my throat close up.

“Come on, let’s go find Laura.”

Eventually, we tore Laura away from the nature and stopped for ice cream on the way home.

“I want vanilla,” Laura said with a smile.

James laughed and ordered us all vanilla cones. He slapped my hand away when I tried to pay and kissed my lips afterward.

We sat outside. James engaged Laura in some very interesting conversation. He kept catching my eye and trying to eat my ice cream.

In that moment, it didn’t matter what we had originally intended to do, I had never been more attracted to him. He was just so real.

I loved everything about him from his quirky green eyes, to the way he valued my eight year old sister’s opinions and didn’t talk down to her like most people.

When we all finally got home, it was much past fourteen hundred and mum hadn’t come to retrieve Laura yet. I didn’t mind though. I asked James’ to stay for dinner but he said he already made plans with his brother.

As James’ reached up to grab his coat, Laura pointed to a long scratch along his lower abdominal.

“What’s that?” She asked, innocently. I gave her a look, but James’ just chuckled and said “It’s just a cut. I work with dogs and sometimes they aren’t as friendly as they seem.”

“Why don’t you go get changed for bed, Laura.” I said, walking James to the door as she scurried off.

He pulled me in and kissed me, lightly on the lips. “I didn’t know you worked with dogs.” I said.

“There’s a lot you don’t know,” He said pulling me closer, my hands on his chest. “Mhm, vanilla.”

I pulled away rolling my eyes. “Get out of here, you big dork.”

He winked at me before opening the door and walking out. A second later, I heard a crack, sending chills down my spine. I opened my door, thinking my mom had very sketchily apparated here, but no one was there.

Laura came out of my bedroom, wearing my shirts and one of James’ tshirts. I laughed, as she obviously assumed it was one of mine. The clothes hung off her, the shirt almost longer than the shirt itself.

“You look fab.” I said with a smile, “What do you want for dinner?”

*

That night, Laura slept in my bed with me as she still had yet to be picked up.

She curled up right next to me and fell right to sleep.

But I didn’t. My mind was racing. All I knew was that James and I were becoming serious whether I liked it or not. But for some reason, the more I thought about it, it didn’t scare me as much. Maybe it was the way he treated Laura, as an equal not a pain, but I had this feeling that I wanted him to stick around.

James Thompson was honest and real.

And to be honest, Lydia Thompson didn't sound too bad.

*

A/N : EKK! I'm so sorry for such a long wait. But hopefully this made up for it! :)

What was your favourite part? Did you just love little Laura? Tell me what you think with a review! :)